Faded photo shows my grandfather when he was a toddler circa 1899.
Bottom left is printed A. FONG
Bottom right is printed HONG-KONG
Regarding the idea of refraining from restoring and/or using AI software to improve the image of old photos because it is wrong to change the original image, one can say that the original image that can over time become blurry, faded, blotchy, grainy, is also wrong. That is why the photo restorer that I go to, said that he prefers to make photos from the negative.
Unfortunately, people often threw the negative away, not knowing that the photo (developed from that negative) would change from good to not-so-good. Old photos fade due to exposure to light, humidity, moisture, heat.
The purpose of restoring old photos is to keep the memory and history of times past, for future generations to see, and many people want to connect with their heritage. We cannot step physically back in time to a certain event, but looking at old photos and restored old photos, is the next best thing.
The photo restorer explained that not all vintage photos can be restored, but he added, that is what makes vintage photos special.